Concert Review
Honeymoon Suite
Aldo Nova
Men Without Hats
The Spoons
Saturday February 10, 2024
OLG Stage @ Fallsview Casino Resort
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
Whoever said the 80’s were dead just needed to take a stroll to the OLG Stage at Fallsview last night to see otherwise. A sold out crowd danced, sang along and rocked to the sounds of Honeymoon Suite, Aldo Nova, Men Without Hats and The Spoons. It was a great variety offered by these bands and they did not disappoint. One can hope we can see more shows like this in the future.
The Spoons got things rolling with a solid opening set that took many back to the time of when the band first started. It really showed everyone’s age when guitarist/vocalist Gordon Deppe mentioned when they first appeared on MuchMusic. These days the band still features bassist Sandy Horne along side Deppe as the only original members. Joining them were drummer Chris McNiell and keyboardist Scott MacDonald. The band played the sing long “Romantic Traffic” which went over the best. Overall a solid set from one of Canada’s best loved 80s.
Men Without Hats followed with an energetic stellar set. The band features vocalist Ivan Doroschuk, guitarist Sho Murray, drummer Adrian White and keyboardist Sahara Sloan. Doroschuk was a sight to see gesturing and maneuvering all over the stage. The band started with a fast paced version of “Safety Dance” and closed with an extended version of the same. Sandwiched between were gems like “I Like” and the band’s other top 40 hit “Pop Goes The World”. Overall enjoyed these guys immensely.
Up next was Canadian extraordinaire songwriter/guitarist/vocalist Aldo Nova. Nova just started playing live shows again in late 2022 and is attempting to make a comeback having released a few EP’s in 2022. While ear monitor issues appeared right from the start of the set, Nova maintained his composure during his brief 40-minute set. He focused on his debut early on opening with “Heart To Heart”. It was disappointing not hearing his gem “Monkey On Your Back” this time around but for diehards we did get “Blood on the Bricks”. Nova closed with his signature song “Fantasy” complete with pre-recorded intro that appears on record.
Honeymoon Suite closed out the night as they took to the stage at 9:30 and opened with “Find What You’re Looking For”, a song that will be included on their new album Alive due out Friday. The song gave the fans a glimpse of what to expect on the new release. From there the band played a few of the expected obligatory songs like “Burning In Love” and “Stay in the Light”. They did manage to sprinkle in a couple that do not get played every night in “Wounded” and “Lookin’ Out For Number One”. Of course they did not leave without playing the song that started it all “New Girl Now”. It was good to see the band return to their hometown and play the biggest and most prestigious stage in town at OLG. The band still boasts its original lineup minus keyboardist Ray Coburn. Peter Nunn is the current keyboardist who has played with the band actually longer than Coburn did. Let’s hope they can come back and play a full set next time should they get a chance.
Photo Galleries
The Spoons
Men Without Hats
Aldo Nova
Honeymoon Suite
Set Lists
The Spoons
Arias & Symphonies
Old Emotions
Repeatable
Romantic Traffic
Tell No Lies
Nova Heart
Men Without Hats
The Safety Dance
Moonbeam
Where Do the Boys Go?
Antarctica
I Like
Pop Goes the World
The Safety Dance (With extended Intro + Outro)
Aldo Nova
Heart to Heart
Under the Gun
Foolin’ Yourself
Ball and Chain
Blood on the Bricks
Fantasy
Honeymoon Suite
Find What You’re Looking For
Burning in Love
Wounded
Stay in the Light
Wave Babies
Feel It Again
What Does It Take
Lookin’ Out for Number One
New Girl Now
Encore
Love Changes Everything
